THE June 2008 A Publication of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton Camp No. 273 Columbia, South Carolina www.wadehamptoncamp.org A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION OF SOUTHERN MEN THE OLD SOUTH DOES INDEED RISE AGAIN Amidst renewed controversy over the Confederate flag, the symbol of the old South is flying over Seffner. The Sons of Confederate Veterans has hoisted the flag - which, at 30 feet by 50 feet, they call the world's largest - at a plot of land near U.S. Highway 92 and Interstate 75, and visible from I-75's busy interchange with I-4. The display is in honor of Jefferson Davis' 200th birthday, the group explained. Davis was president of the Confederate States of America until his capture by the Union in 1865. Despite critics who call the flag a racist symbol, the Sons of Confederate Veterans say they're wrong. "I'm tired of those people making accusations that it's all about hate," said Phil Waters with the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The group says the Civil War was not fought over slavery, and therefore the flag is not racist. See Flag, Page 3 ENGLISH, HOOKER, AND COLONEL By Alan Linda The English language is endlessly fascinating because of the origin of its words. Here are two I just came across. They both came from the Civil war [sic]. Union General Joseph Hooker, an 1837 graduate of West Point, is credited with a successful reorganization of the Union cavalry, which was charged with the responsibility of "disrupting" Confederate General Robert E. Lee's supply line. The person put in charge of this first effort was Colonel Hugh Judson Kilpatrick. Col. Kilpatrick returned from that first circular sweep through Dixie with every cow, pig, chicken, and bag of grain in their path, which allowed the Union army to advance far ahead of its supply line. This "foraging" will lead us directly to our first word. General William T. Sherman, who became notorious as the instigator of "Sherman's Raiders," due to his order for the Cavalry—which he now commanded—to show South Carolina how he, Gen. Sherman, felt about them being the first to secede from the Union. "Let this march be one of the most horrible things in the history of the world." With that, his cavalry units, one of them headed by Kilpatrick, another of them headed by George Custer, tore through the countryside, leaving a path of destruction behind them. "How shall I let you know where we are?" Kilpatrick once asked of Sherman. Sherman's replay: "Burn a town. We'll see the smoke." Kilpatrick's unit amongst all the cavalry units was without doubt the worst of them all at completely stripping the local population, including blacks, of everything of any value. They collected everything from silverware to silver buttons to fine dresses and bedding. A Union lieutenant wrote back to his wife: "Fine gold watches, silver pitchers, cups, spoons and forks are as common in our camp as blackberries. I have about a quart of rings, earrings, breastpins…for you and the girls." General Sherman's personal take from the pillaging of South Carolina's towns and countryside was huge. See English, Page 3 - RUSTY RENTZ2 COMMANDER’S CORNER Another Confederate Memorial organization would have with these extremely high cost. We need a person or Day has come and gone. I believe it is numbers. persons to assist with identifying any free evident 143 years after our ancestors Traditionally, as we approach the advertising, determining guidelines and fought for Southern Independence that the summer months, attendance at meetings supplying information to the appropriate spirit of the Confederate Soldier and their decreases. We normally have about 25% of media. This is a source of advertising we quest for freedom is still alive. This can be our membership in attendance. I have not utilized in the past. This would be seen by increasing numbers in our ranks understand members have other an ideal way for someone to assist with the and the commitment made by all. Our obligations, but I honestly believe that with event that may not be physically able or spirit and heart felt desire to vindicate our us meeting only once a month, our have the time to devote to the site prior to ancestors is one thing that cannot be taken attendance should be much higher. Again, I and during the event. With a membership away from us by self serving politicians challenge each of you to make an effort to of 200, I trust someone will step forward and the liberal left. I encourage each of you attend camp meetings more often than you and assume this vital aspect of the event. to evaluate your commitment to the SCV have in the past. Our meeting for the month will be and the CAUSE of your ancestor(s). The camp voted at the May on Thursday June 19, 2008 at Seawell’s I would urge each of you to make meeting to sponsor The Battle For Restaurant located on Rosewood Dr. The an honest effort to recruit one new member Columbia again next year. The event went meal will begin at 6:00 pm with the this year. Our camp needs younger extremely well this year and there was a meeting beginning at 7:00 pm. Our members, those with new ideas, talent and small profit realized. The dates for next program for the evening will be presented energies. We do not want to become year’s event are May 1,2, & 3 , 2009. by Ken Howle. Ken is both a reenactor and stagnant and eventually die. The Division Planning for next year’s event has already a member of the SCV. His program will be has approximately 3000 members with begun and we will be reinstating the school on the SC Division Flag Restoration National having approximately 30,000. day next year. Over the five previous years Project. I have been told by those that have Each should be tenfold. Just think of all we advertising has been one aspect of the heard his presentation that it is exceptional. could accomplish and the influence the event that has suffered due to the I look forward to seeing each of you with your guest - LARRY BATES CHAPLAIN’S PULPIT It is likely that by the time you measured merely by how many young men dressed in period clothing or uniforms receive The Legionary, Father’s Day will we see at our meetings. I’ve talked with having the time of their lives. The First have passed. However, this close to the many compatriots who are doing a fine job Corporal of my unit brings his 16-year-old date, I would like to say how inspiring the of teaching their young sons and daughters son to re-enact with us at just about every many men in our camp who are fathers are a true history of the South. I’ve listened to event in our state. And, if you went to the to me. These days, our camp meetings dads from our camp tell me stories about Battle For Columbia in May, you had to usually have only a couple of young men their taking time to go and meet with their have seen seven year-old “DJ”, the son of who are regular attendees, Kyle Killian and child’s school history teacher if something one of our associate members, who McKenzie Holland. These two young men was not taught quite right. That is because participates in a number of events (well, have attended meetings and been involved the child is so well versed in Southern everything except the battles) in uniform in Camp activities for years. It has been a History he or she recognizes immediately and on his horse, as a member of the real pleasure watching these boys grow up when something is not accurate. One of our Cavalry. Our Camp dads are doing an and become the impressive young men compatriots told me a story of the time his admirable job of raising their children. they are. Much credit should be given to second grade son explained in class to his Among other things, they provide a good their fathers, Ed Killian and Charles teacher (formally a longtime Michigan home for them, take them to Church, teach Holland. They are smart boys, well resident) and the class about South them to hunt, fish, play sports, and they are mannered, and very knowledgeable about Carolina’s greatest hero, Gen. Wade fulfilling the Charge with whom it counts Confederate history. Hampton. How many second graders do the most—future generations! The measure of success of how you know could do that? God bless your efforts and hope to well our members are teaching Southern Go to any re-enactment and you see you at the next meeting! History to their children ought not to be will likely see a good many children - RICKY LEE BADGER ADJUTANT’S DESK Did you know, as a SCV last name in the box at the following link: and officer change button; this will bring member of the Wade Hampton Camp http:www.scv.org/checkData.php, or you up an email addressed to the state 273 you should be receiving three can call 1-800 My Dixie. adjutant. Type in your name and address different publications throughout the The Palmetto Partisan is the and submit it. The Divisional database is year? official newsletter of the South Carolina updated every Monday. The Confederate Veteran Division.